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Vet’s Best Tips To Keep Your Dog Healthy In DFW

April 6, 2012 5:00 AM

Photo Credit: ThinkStock

Pet owners in Dallas-Fort Worth love their four-legged family members so much they put them in daycare and take them to specialized bakeries. Pampering your pooch shouldn’t take a backseat to healthcare, however, so follow these area vet’s recommendations to keep Fido healthy, happy and a little pampered.

Dr. Karen Fling, owner of East Lake Veterinary Hospital says each annual pet check-up should also include dental care. Dental disease is painful for your pet and can lead to bacterial infections and, consequently, other diseases. Each doctor at East Lake Veterinary Hospital is a member of the American Veterinary Dental Society and has advanced training in dentistry.

Pets, like their human counterparts, need proper nutrition. Obesity in dogs can also lead to arthritis, diabetes and other weight-related diseases. A nutrition consultation, like those at Green Pet Dallas, will help you decide on the best diet and feeding schedule for your growing or senior pet. It’s also important to follow the recommended feeding allowances with any food. All of the food and treats at Green Pet are made with human-grade ingredients, no by-products, no corn, fillers or chemical preservatives.

Even in North Texas’ fickle weather, it’s important to exercise your pet daily. If your senior pet is showing signs of distress during exercise, speak with your veterinarian about treatment and therapy for mobility issues. Even simple anti-inflammatory medication can mean the difference between carrying a pet up the steps or watching him run at the dog park.

Because mosquitoes abound any time of the year in DFW, pets need heartworm medication year round, and it’s better if they stay indoors during the late afternoon and evenings when mosquitoes are feeding. Prevention is the key because even treating heartworm can be deadly.

An oral preventative given monthly is the best medicine to control fleas and ticks. Over the counter collars may not control an infestation or provide much relief, and this can mean a year-round infestation for your dog in Dallas. Speak with your veterinarian about a solution that is best for you and your pet. When cats and dogs chew as a result of the fleas, they often contract worms from those fleas, creating a cycle of sickness that can kill some pets.

Teicha Mailhes is a freelance writer and avid family historian living in North Texas. She has written numerous articles on family history research and has enjoyed speaking about family history research at regional conferences and local genealogical societies. Currently she is working on her first cozy mystery novel. See her work here.